The When You're Ready Project is a community for survivors of sexual violence to share their stories and have their voices heard, finding strength in one another. When you're ready to share your story, we'll be here.

Hi, my name is Erica. On November 4th, 2008, the day the results of the presidential election were announced, I was sexually assaulted. It was a Tuesday night. Myself and a couple of friends were at “The Irish Times,” across from Union Station, having drinks while waiting to find out the results of the recent …

I was so confused. I didn’t know where I was. I didn’t know who was kissing and touching me. I didn’t know why. I was trying to push him off of me but I couldn’t. My arms weren’t working. I kept trying to sink down in my mattress and disappear to get away, but that wasn’t working either.

For the longest time I had a regret and blamed myself. I didn’t realize until now that I couldn’t have done anything differently besides for being more careful of what I drank. I realized it wasn’t my fault.

I’m less afraid of talking about these ones than the first one. I have no idea what became of either of those guys, and I don’t care. I’ve lost touch with all of the “friends” we had in common back then, the ones who knew and didn’t stop it, the boyfriend who gave permission for his friend to rape me…it’s a part of my life I’ve put past me.